All Blog Posts (651)

Networking. Just the word itself is enough to make introverts everywhere cringe. However, introvert or otherwise, all CPA candidates need to learn this skill. Most, if not all, high level CPAs will advise that networking is essential to career advancement. Today's blog will serve as a guide to network…

One question many CPA candidates tend to ask concerns what order to take the exams. The old adage was B.A.R.F. and not just because it makes a fun acronym. The idea was that a candidate would start with the “easiest” test first and work their way up. The general belief was that BEC was the easiest then AUD, REG and FAR. The…

What do I mean by “the juggle”? It’s simple really. I mean the everyday things that you have to juggle in order to find the time to study for the CPA Exams. We all experience the anxiety of having to rearrange our lives so that we can find those 300 to 400 recommended study hours. I’ve decided that for today’s CPA exam blog I would give some tips on how to juggle.

The first tip is to get organized and stay organized. Depending where you…

REG. For me the hardest section of the CPA exam. Last time I failed it by one point and lost my FARS as a result. This time I used Roger CPA review and I passed! I hate that I lost FAR but I am so relieved that it is passed and off my plate. I am more motivated than ever to finish taking these exams. I NEVER want to take REG again. For anyone studying for the CPA I highly recommend Roger CPA review. His lectures make difficult material easier to understand. Try it!

I started to actually study last night. I've been procrastinating for a few weeks now. Had so much going on with family life. Who doesn't right! Finally sat done after dinner and read the first chapter of my study guide. After reading it, I feel so motivated to get this first test done. Going to sit down today and read the next 4 chapters, so I can get started on the Modules/textbook. I work for a CPA firm, but we don't do many audits. I decided to do the hardest test first. Husband thinks…

I recently passed the FAR exam with a 78%! Whoooo! But it was not all fun and games getting there. The first time I took the exam I ended up failing with a 73! I know it sucks but it felt good being so close (I'll explain why later). In this post I'll discuss my thought process in getting through the FAR exam. My Method may not be the perfect way to pass but I did end up passing so something worked.

I purchased Becker Material for the 4 parts early last year, but due to medical isues with a family member, I did not study or sit for any part. Presenty, I cannot afford to purchase Becker 2015 material.

I want to start studying for the eamine in two weeks. I was told there are alot of changes this year. Can I use any of Becker's 2014 material to prepare for the examine this year? What are my other options? Everyone, please advise. Thanks and Happy New Year.

I am a CPA. Not a lot of people can say the same and I’m so proud that I can. For me, getting my license proved to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. It’s really an investment in yourself to be a better professional and person altogether.

The opportunities are endless once you get that special designation after your name. It hasn’t been too long since I’ve gotten it and I’ve already received multiple offers from both private and public accounting…

I have recently passed all four CPA exams but not after failing a few times. I struggled on my journey to become a CPA so YOU don't have to! I created the Beat the CPA! site so you can learn from my mistakes and teach you all the tips, tricks, and secrets I learned along the…

Ok, so you just failed a section of the CPA exam... Yes, it’s heart wrenching and entirely frustrating, but it’s not the end of the world! I give you full permission to take a day to pout and feel sorry for yourself. Go ahead, just one day. Then get over it!

Reschedule and retake the exam as soon as possible so it’s still fresh in your brain (keep in mind that you can…

It's nearing the end of summer, there are a million things to do which equates a million in one reasons to procrastinate getting to Roger's Chapter 3. Every time I look at that FAR book I think it multiplies. Wouldn't it be something if every time you finished a chapter the book shrank. Okay tonight I will study 1.5 hours of lecture and 1.5 hours of homework. Anyone…

The accountant’s version of winning an Oscar: obtaining your CPA certification. At least that’s what it feels like I have just experienced – my Oscar moment. It happened when the score releases came out on August 1st…

Do you ever hit a lull in studying? It seems like all of your friends are out doing fun things and you are stuck at home trying to study. Well I grabbed my iPad and went down to the park downtown. They had internet and I wasn’t stuck indoors, I did however have to sit under a tree to see my screen, but a change of scenery is just what I needed to pick up my studying motivation!

Here it is the night before my 2nd attempt to Take Audit. Do I feel ready? Um…sure...no…are you supposed to feel ready? I mean really ready? This time tomorrow it will all be over and then the waiting game begins. I have been working quite a few hours between last week and this week, but I think I have also put forth quite a bit more effort with the Task Based Simulations this time. 40% of the exam…it’s kind of a big deal! My brain is chalk full of …

The big debate! I scheduled my exam for July 3rd. After studying not very much last week, I am feeling behind. I know I have studied a lot in the past few weeks and everyone studies at a different pace. I think this week/weekend will really show if I am ready to take the exam on July 3rd. I need to keep my head down and really focus over the next few days! I think I can. I think I can. I think I can. Summoning the …

The questions on the CPA exam are notoriously tricky. They require you to pay attention to each and every word of the question and answer. This demands your complete focus and it can be hard with all the anxiety and fatigue that comes with exam day. A typical "trick" question they will ask…

Saturday morning 7:30a.m. I awoke to a text from a fellow CPA exam taker with “I received my score and didn’t pass.” Immediately I thought do I look? Do I not look? I looked… I wished I hadn’t and just waited until Monday. Why? Yes you guessed it, I too did not pass. I allowed myself exactly one hour to sulk and feel embarrassed, then spent the rest of the day forgetting I had checked it. I told a few close friends I had not passed over the weekend and they all asked me what is my game plan?…